1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. The Reality of the Resurrection Selected Scriptures
Easter & Jesus’ resurrection were associated due to Passover in Acts 12:4 translated as “Easter” in KJV

3. The Reality of the Resurrection Selected Scriptures
Rabbits are associated with Easter due to its cultural roots as a celebration of Spring and fertility
More Americans view Easter as a day to give / get candy and visit family / friends than to worship Christ

4. The Reality of the Resurrection Selected Scriptures
American culture has shifted radically away from Biblical Christianity in the last 40 years
Do not let cultural traditions obscure the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

5. What Do You Believe?
Beliefs and their corresponding actions should arise out of what is understood to be true
Your belief about and response to Jesus’ resurrection will determine your eternal destiny

6. What Do You Believe?
Opinion is fluid because it is not based on view / appraisal / preference, not conviction of what is true
Belief evokes willingness to sacrifice - Persecuted Christians will not yield their belief in Jesus Christ

7. What Do You Believe?
Professing Christians are lead astray due to laziness, ignorance / being deceived, desire
Straying from Scripture is serious - all must search out truth - and truth leads to God’s word and Jesus

8. The Resurrection and Its Importance
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the pivotal event of Christianity - 1 Cor. 15
The Old Testament teaches the hope of resurrection: Exod. 3:6 cf. Matt. 22:29-32; Job 19:25-27; Ezekiel 37; Daniel 12:2

9. The Resurrection and Its Importance
Jesus claimed that He would rise from the dead - Matt. 16:21; 17:9,23; etc.; John 2:19; 10:17-18
All four gospels record that Jesus did rise from the dead: Matthew 28; Mark 16: Luke 26; John 20-21

10. The Resurrection and Its Importance
To deny Jesus resurrection requires denial of all testimony to that fact and a claim to a superior knowledge

11. The Theft Theory Jesus’ body was stolen
Jesus’ enemies feared His body would be stolen and so placed a guard unit at the tomb - Matt. 27:62-66
Matthew 28:11-15 records the origin of the claim that the disciples stole Jesus’ body

12. The Theft Theory Jesus’ body was stolen
Whether Roman or Temple guards, they would have been severely punished for failure
No challenge was given to the guard’s story - they were instead protected and paid to lie

13. The Theft Theory Jesus’ body was stolen
The fearful disciples would not risk stealing Jesus’ body - and also carefully leave the grave clothes folded

14. The Swoon Theory Jesus did not really die, He only swooned
The soldiers, Joseph & Nicodemus all judged that Jesus was dead - Mark 15:39,44; John 19:33, 38-40
The soldier pierced Jesus’ side with as spear - out came blood & water - showing it was already separating

15. The Swoon Theory Jesus did not really die, He only swooned
This would require Jesus to revive after suffering:
sleep deprivation,
scourging,
severe lose of blood,
crucifixion,
piercing with a spear,
not eating or drinking for 48+ hours,
being wrapped with 70 lbs of spices

16. The Swoon Theory Jesus did not really die, He only swooned
Jesus would then have to:
Unwrap Himself,
Roll the stone away by Himself,
Overpower the guards,
Walk at least 14 miles

17. The Hallucination Theory Those seeing Jesus alive were hallucinating
None of the psychological factors necessary for hallucinations were present in the disciples
Hallucinations do not occur to a wide variety of people over many days & locations and to 500 at same time

18. The Hallucination Theory Those seeing Jesus alive were hallucinating
Claims based on hallucinations could have been easily refuted by producing Jesus’ body

19. The Wrong Tomb They went to the wrong tomb & assumed
Many others also saw the physically resurrected Jesus in other places
The angel confirmed they were at the correct tomb

20. Jesus Was Resurrected Spiritually, Not Physically
Jesus’ enemies wound then have been able to produce His body to refute the claims
After the resurrection, Jesus ate physical food and invited Thomas to physically touch Him

21. Other Evidences of the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The enemies of Jesus gave no refutation to the proclamation that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The disciples were radically changed from being fearful to being bold - even to being martyred
The birth and growth of the church in the midst of severe persecution

22. Other Evidences of the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The church meets on Sunday in honor of the Lord’s resurrection instead of Saturday
Communion and Baptism both proclaim Jesus death and resurrection

23. Conclusions
He is risen! Jesus’ claims of deity, sinlessness, and voluntary sacrifice are proven true
He is risen! Jesus’ promises to forgive, transform and take those who believe in Him are proven true

24. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ